Method and apparatus for erecting swimming pools



R. w. BENNETT, JR 2,954,645

METHOD AND APPARATUS ma ERECTING SWIMMING PooLs 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 4, 1960 Filed sept. 25, 1957 ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 4, 1,960 v R. w. BENNETT, JR v 2,954,645

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ERECTING SWIMMING POOLS Filed Sept. 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WMM/limi F ig. El.

ROBERT W. BENNETT JR.

BY F. 2@ Z ATTORNEYS.

INVENTOR.

United States Patent O METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ERECTING SWIMMING POOLS Robert W. Bennett, Jr., Hampshire, England (Rua Domingos Ferreira 59, Apt. 1101,

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Filed Sept. 25, 1957, Ser. No. 686,106

16 Claims. (Cl. 50100) between the pool bottom and apron resisting hydrostatic v pressure from the inside of the pool when illed with water and earth pressure when empty.

The present invention distinguishes over prior art constructions erected in part from precast concrete panels by use of relatively small panels which are easily handled Y manually .in erection, are temporarily held in place by supports called struts to provide a form upon which an integral interior facing is applied and about which an lntegral footing and apron are cast in situ forming fixed spaced supports between which the wall extends as a beam 1n resisting internal and external pressures.

An object of the invention :is to provide a monolithic pool structure, assembled on the job with precast panels and preformed panel supports requiring no temporary forms and eliminating the usual caulking required to make such precast panel pools water tight.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively low cost permanent monolithic structure which can be quickly-and economically erected with a of time and labor withoutthe usual temporary forms custlomarily employed in erecting concrete 'swimming poo s.

These and other objects will be made apparent fromthfe following description, in which the drawing forming a pa-rt thereof comprises:

Fig..1 showing a plan view of the :integral monolithic pool of the invention; Fig.` 2 shows a cross section through the pool apron, side j all and bottom wall taken on the lines II-II of Fig.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section taken on the lines III- III of Fig. 2 illustrating a preferred manner of assembling the precast panels to the vertical struts, the reinforcement for the concrete and the facing concrete;

t Fig. 4 shows an enlargement of the pool wall at the juncture of two of the precast panels and application of the reinforced facing to the panels and struts;

Fig. 5 shows in enlarged detail -a preferred form of corner strut; l

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a modified form of the invention; t t

` Fig. 7 shows a cross section through the pool wall, apron and bottom wall taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 shows in enlarged detail a corner of the pool wall illustratingthe manner of placing the precast panels between the struts. t

Referring now in general to Figs. l to 5 inclusive of thedrawings, the structure shown therein is adapted to swimming pools wherein the bottom of the pool may be 2,954,645 Patented Oct. 4, 1960 ice ,j

in a single plane as shown or may be in different planes to provide a shallow depth of Water at one end as desired. The pool shown in these figures comprises a monolithic enclosing wall secured adjacent the top and bottom thereof by an apron and a pool bottom respectively, so that the wall acts as a fixed beam spanning the space between the apron and pool bottom. The structure disclosed has adequate strength for this purpose when the walls are from six to eight feet in height. The precast panels hereinafter described may be of any desired size, but to make them convenient for handling manually with a minimum of labor, I prefer to make them about one inch thick by about 12 wide and about 48 long containing rein' forcements to withstand erection stresses only. The strutsA or panel supports to which the panels are bolted may be of any suitable construction. I prefer to assemble them from rolled angles but any other light steelshape of similar section can be used. Such angles are convenient for the purpose inthat they are purchased with suitable holes spaced throughout the length of each ange ofthe angle to permit bolting the panels thereto and bolting the angles 12 and13 together to form various shapes as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. The steel mesh reinforcement applied over the entire interior face of the vertical wall is a commercially available wire mesh reinforcement customarily used in such concrete structures and referred to commercially as of 2 x 166/10 mesh. The facing of concrete applied over the mesh is about 1% inches thick for walls of a height stated and may be applied as plaster or sprayed on with a cement gun. Such detail dimensions of the structure are by way of illustration only and it is to be understood that other dimensions may be used if desired and are not intended to be limitations on the invention. l

Referring now in detail to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive the pool is comprised of an apron portion 1, a peripheral wall portion 2 and a bottom portion and footing 3, all

united to form a monolithic structure of sufficient strengthV to resist internal water pressure when the pool is lled with water and ground pressures when the pool is empty. Preparatory to erecting the pool an area slightly larger than the pool bottom is excavated and preferably provided with inclined side and end walls 4. In the area where the width of pool apron overlaps the excavation, a suitable excavation as at 6 and 7 is provided to receive the apron.

Erection struts 8 are uniformly sp-aced within the bottom of the excavation to dene the periphery of the pool side and end walls. At the corners of the pool are erected the corner struts 9. As shown `in dotted lines on Fig. l of the drawings, these struts 8 and 9 have flanges 10 and 11 respectively disposed parallel to the walls to be erected. The struts 8 are of substantially T-shape or of any other suitable construction. One convenient means for forming these struts 8 is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, wherein special angles are used. These angles have a.

leg 12 and a longer leg 13 with holes 14 spaced longitudinally of the leg 13 and holes 15- and 16 spaced longitudinally of the leg 12. These angles may he conveniently bolted together to form various shapes as the T-shape in Fig. 3 and the substantially W-shape in Fig. 5. Obviously any light steel shape which is rolled or welded together to form the struts 8 and 9 may be substituted for the angles. These struts 8 and 9 are conveniently driven into the ground at the bottom of the excavation may have suitable temporary lateral bracing extending from the faces 10 and 11 thereof to the adjacent walls of the excavation, where conditions necessitate their use. As shown `in Fig. 2 of the drawings the vertical height of the struts 8 and 9 are such that the tops thereof terminate beneath the underside of the apron 1.

Upon the flanges 12 of the struts 8 and 9 and extending between `the adjacent members are the precast concrete panels 17 which need only be reinforced suiciently to withstand erection stresses. These panels are bolted in place by means of suitable bolts 18 extending through the panel 17 and' the adjacent flange 12. Preferably the panels 17 are spaced vertically a small amount for a purposey hereinafter discussed. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the upper panel 17a extends above the struts 8 to about the height of the curbing 19 about the pool. The panels 17 and 17a are then placed so as to define the side and end Walls of the pool.

. Over the inside face of the side and end walls of the erected panels is placed a steel mesh reinforcing Z0. As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the reinforcing mesh 20 is secured in place over the face of the panels. One convenient way of `doing this without further drilling of holes through the panels would be to place a stop 21 behindthe panels 17, at the horizontal spacing between them, and extend a wire around the stop 21 and the vertical Wires of the steel mesh to rigidly secure the reinforcing mesh in position. As shown in Fig. 2 the steel mesh preferably extends below the bottom panels 17 of the side and end walls further serving to tie the side wal-ls to the bottom wall and footing. At the upper end of the side wall the openings Z3 are drilled through panels 17a at spaced intervals longitudinally of the panel and tie wires extended through the openings 23 with the inner ends of the tie Wires 24 wrapped about the steel mesh 20. After the panels 17 and reinforcing mesh 20' have been s'o placed, a facing of concrete 25 is applied continuously over the side wall and end wall panels 17 so as to form a continuous surface about the inner face of the panels forming the pool Walls.

As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the outer periphery of the pool bottom extends outwardly of the struts 8 and 9 and extends upwardly so as to overlap the bottom portion of the precast panels 17 and facing 25. Prior to casting the bottom slab 26 and the footing 27 thereof, reinforcements 28 are placed in the bottom of the pool andv footing. After the slab 26 and footing 27 are cast a unitary structure of pool bottom and side walls is provided. The exposed outer faces of the joints between vertically disposed panels 17 may be pointed from the outer faces of the pool wall so as to close such joints. Back fill 29 of any suitable material is then placed about the outer faces of the side and end walls up to the level ofthe bottom face 6 of the apron 1. Steel mesh reinforcing 30 is then placed in the area to be occupied by theV apron and the tie Wire Z4 is attached thereto. The apron is then cast as an 4integral member enclosing the pool walls to complete the pool. By reason of the tie wires 24 connecting the reinforcing mesh 20 and 30 theside andrend walls of the pool are integrally tied in with the apron 1.

The primary function of the struts 8 and 9 are to provide temporary support for the precast panels 17 until the reinforcing mesh is secured in place and the facing of concrete is applied to complete the monolithic structure of side and end walls of the pool. Initially the struts Sand 9 may supply some strength to the walls, but as the struts are exposed to corrosion from the surrounding earth or other fill I prefer not to rely upon them for assistance to the Walls in resisting internal and external pressures thereon.

` Referring now to Figs. 6 to 8, wherein is shown a modiiication ofthe invent-ion, the struts 35 and 36 are utilized as active structural members and the panels 37 are reinforced to resist external and internal stresses upon the pool walls between the struts. The struts `deliver the reactions from their trapezoidal loading to the footing and apron.

When erecting a swimming pool as in Figs. 6 to 8, an excavation is made as hereinbefore described, the corner struts 36 are erected and the struts 35 are evenly spaced between them to `define the pool side and end Walls.

These struts may be of any suitable construction to provide support for the panels 37. As shown in the drawings, the struts may be formed of channel sections. Thus Struts 35 are comprised of channel sections each having a web portion 38 and flanges 39. The webs 38 may be vsecured together by any suitable means, such as welding, bolts or other fastening means. Obviously a rolled structural shape or Welded construction such as an H or an I beam may be substituted for the built up construction described. The corner struts 36 may also be formed of such channel sections as shown in Fig. 8 with a flange 39 of one channel secured in any suitable manner to one end portion of the web 38 of the other channel to form a modified Z-section as shown. Struts 3'5 and 36 may be driven into the ground in erection and when erected may, if necessary, be temporarily laterally braced during placing of :the panels. 'I'he length of such struts is such as to extend upwardly into the apron 48.

The panels 37 are preferably of a uniform length, width and thickness, except possibly the end-most panels which may be cut to a reduced size in those cases where the dimensions of the pool Walls are not multiples of the panel sizes. Since most private swimming pools are of six feet to eight feet in maximum depth, l have found that panels 2 thick x 14" wide x 48 long are suitable and are sufficiently light in weight to be conveniently handled. 'I'he panels may be made of different dimensions where desired provided they are of suflicient strength to resist the internal and external pressures thereon while transmitting such loads between the struts. In the present modified form of the invention the panels are reinforced by any suitable means, which may be mesh or rods 37a. The flanges of the struts are spaced a sufficient distance to receive the thickness of the panel between them and the webs of adjacent struts are likewise spaced to receive the length of the panels 37. The panels are not otherwise secured to the struts. In erecting the pool walls it is'preferable to insert spacers 49 between vertically adjacent panels, such spacers may conveniently be about 1%" in thickness and preferably do not extend the full length of the panels. As shown in Fig. 7, the panels extend above the top of the struts 35, 36 and also extend into the footing.

After the wall panels are placed between the struts about the periphery of the pool walls, suitable reinforcing 40 is placed and the pool bottom 41 with its footing 42 is cast in situ. As shown in Fig. 7 the struts 36 and 37 preferably protrude below footing l42 into the bottom of the excavation. At the upper ends of the struts 36, 37 the top panels 37 extend above the struts to the top of the pool curb 43. The panels 37' are drilled between the struts to provide passage of tie wires 44 and a continuous facing 45 of cement plaster is placed over the inner faces of the panels 37 and struts 35, 36. After placing such facing 45 it is desirable to also fill the spaces between vertically adjacent panels. Back fill 46 is then applied about the outer faces of the panels and struts. No special material need be used for back ll. After the back lill is placed, reinforcement 47 is placed and the ends of Wires 44 are twisted around a cross bar of such mesh 47 and strut 35 to tie the apron to the side and end walls. The apron concrete 48 is placed continuously around the pool walls completing the pool. This provides a monolithic, jointless structure comprising pool walls, pool bottom and footing, and pool apron. panels 37 extending horizontally between the vertical struts 35 and 36 transmit internal and external pressure to the struts. The struts being fixed at both ends in the apron and pool bottom respectively, transmit the reactions from their trapezoidal loading to the pool bottom and apron.

Both forms of the invention have been described and certain details of construction have been specified in speciiic dimensions by way of examples. It is to be understood', however, that various modifications in thedetails The of construction will suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art and may be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed and I do not intend to be bound thereby, except as where made necessary by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A monolithic swimming pool disposed within a suitable excavation comprising a plurality of upright struts spaced evenly about the pool defining the periphery of the side and end walls of the pool, a plurality of precast concrete wall panels disposed in fixed vertical alignment between each pair of adjacent struts for the desired height of the pool side and end walls, each said wall panel having bearing engagement at each end thereof upon the struts between which the panel extends, a continuous facing of concrete applied over the entire exposed inner faces of the pool wall panels and struts converting same into a monolithic structure, a pool bottom wall between said pool side and end walls, a footing enclosing the pool bottom and the lower portions of the struts, said bottom wall and footing being of reinforced concrete cast in situ and extending below and above the horizontal plane of the bottom of the adjacent pool side and end wall panels, the lower portions of the wall panels being embedded in the bottom wall and footing, back ll placed about the outer faces of said pool side and end walls to a level below the top of the said walls, and a continuous apron of reinforced concrete enclosing the exposed outer face of 'the top of said side and end ,walls and overlying said back fill, said apron reinforcement being structurally tied to the :adjacent portions of said pool side and end walls so that the side and end walls function as beams fixed at opposite ends to the apron and to the footing in resisting external `and internal pressure on said walls.

Z. The swimming pool as defined in claim l, wherein the inner face of the assembled wall panels are covered by metal reinforcement which is tied to the wall panels for reinforcing the continuous concrete facing applied over the inner faces of fthe wall panels and the struts.

3. The swimming pool as defined in claim 2 wherein the wall panels, reinforcement and concrete facing comprise an integral unit of sufficient strength spanning the space between 4the pool apron and pool bottom wall resisting all internal and external forces acting on the pool side and end walls.

4. The swimming pool as defined in claim 3 whereby the reinforced concrete facing applied to the inner face of the pool side and end walls extends into the pool bottom wall and footing.

5. The swimming pool as defined in claim 3 wherein the said struts terminate below the horizontal plane of the pool apron.

6. The swimming pool as defined in claim 3, wherein the side land end wall panels are in ventically spaced alignment and the horizontal spaces between the adjacent vertically disposed panels are pointed from the outer face of the wall to fill same.

7. In a concrete swimming pool of the character described, in combination, vertically disposed laterally spaced struts defining the outer periphery of the pool side and end walls, precast reinforced concrete panels disposed between pairs of adjacent struts and held thereby in fixed lateral relation thereto to form part of the pool side and end walls, a pool bottom wall and footing cast in situ enclosing the lower portions of said struts and said wall panels, a continuous concrete :apron cast in situ enclosing the outer faces of the upper end of said wall panels and struts, and a continuous facing of cement applied over the inner faces of the said wall panels between the top thereof and the pool bottom wall, said continuous facing being of sufficient thickness to cover the inner faces of said struts.

8. The swimming pool as defined in claim 7 wherein a plurality of the precast concrete panels are disposed in vertical alignment between adjacent struts, the reinforcements embedded in each said side and end wall panel of each side and end wall extends to the top of said` apron.

9. The swimming pool as defined in claim 8 wherein" the said struts function as upright beams fixed at opposite ends to the pool bottom footing and the apron respectively, and the side and end wall panels are fixed between opposing faces of each pair of struts in vertical alignment and transmit transverse stresses thereon to the adjacent struts.

10. The swimming pool as defined in claim 9 wherein the pool apron and pool bottom wall with its footing are of reinforced concrete, the upper ends of the struts are tied to the apron reinforcement, the precast side and end wall panels between each pair of struts are retained in fixed vertically spaced alignment, and the spacing between said side and end wall panels are pointed from the outer face of the pool walls.

1l. In a swimming pool of the character described, in combination, vertically disposed laterally spaced Vstrut members spaced about the periphery of the pool side and end walls, each said struts having portions extending parallel to the plane of the wall defined thereby, a plurality of vertically spaced precast concrete wall panels extending transversely between adjacent struts of the side and end Walls in overlapping engagement with said strut portions and retained thereby against lateral displacement from external and internal pressures on said pool walls, a pool bottom wall and footing enclosing the lower portions of said side and end wall panels and struts, an integral facing applied continuously over the inner faces of said side and end wall struts and panels above said pool bottom wall integrally uni-ting the struts and panels into a pool monolithic side and end wall structure, and a continuous reinforced concrete apron cast about lthe upper peripheral portion of said pool wall structure at the outer face thereof with said apron reinforcements tied into said wall structure.

l2. The swimming pool as defined in claim 11 wherein the said struts are of substantially T-shaped in cross section.

13. The swimming pool as defined in claim 1l, wherein the facing applied over the inner face of the pool side land end wall panels and the struts is of reinforced concrete, and the reinforcement of said facing is tied to said wall panels to provide said monolithic side and end wall structure as an integral concrete wall fixed. at opposite vertical ends of the pool bottom wall and pool apron for resisting internal and external forces applied to said Wall structure.

14. The swimming pool as defined in claim 11 wherein the wall struts are provided with spaced vertical portions disposed in planes parallel to the vertical planes of the pool walls to receive the ends ofthe panels between said portions, and the struts have their vertical end portions fixed within the pool bottom wall and pool apron respectively.

15. A method of erecting concrete swimming pools using precast concrete panels as part of the pool side and end walls, comprising the steps of providing a suitable excavation to receive the pool with the top of the completed pool disposed adjacent ground level, erecting a plurality of precast concrete wall panels in fixed relation between latenally spaced supports to define the pool side and end wall within the excavation, coating a continuous reinforced concrete facing upon the inner faces of the said side and end wall panels and supports forming a monolithic wall structure embodying said wall panels and supports, casting in situ a reinforced concrete pool bottom enclosing the bottom portions of said monolithic wall structure, back filling about the outer faces of said monolithic wall structure, and casting in situ upon. the back fill a continuous reinforced concrete apron at ground level enclosing the top of said monolithic pool Wall structure in'xed relation thereto.

y 16. The method as dened in claim 15 wherein the monolithic wall structure extends above the top planes of the wall panel supports and the said apron is` applied in a horizontal plane including the top portions of said supports. V

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS i Ridley 12111.23, 1956 

